St. Matthew’s High School added to Significant Notes

St. Matthew’s High School of Melrose, LA is the latest entry to the Significant Notes section of the site.

St. Matthews High School of Natchitoches Parish was the first public high school building constructed for African Americans in Lower Natchitoches Parish. When it opened in 1952, it was one of two public senior high schools for African Americans in the Natchitoches Parish. This entry from the National Register of Historic Places shows the growth of the school from a “church school” serving elementary schools in 1916, until its growth to a full fledged high school in 1952.

Despite the name, St. Matthew’s was a public school with its original classes held in the church.

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